Who Should Provide Invisalign for a Teenager?

Invisalign introduced their new Teen Invialign product a year ago. It is only available to orthodontists not general dentists. The pilot progeam started with 600 of the top orthodontists in the country in June of 2008. In August it was introduced to the rest of the orthodontists in the country. Compliance has always been an issue in orthodontics whether it be with fixed appliances using elastics, headgear, or a toothbrush or removable appliances. I review the advantages and disadvantagess... more

Cooperation is a very important part of orthodontic treatment. Invisalign requires a tremendous amount of cooperation to even remotely work as invisalign prescribes. I would not even consider treating a teenager with invisalign in my practice. It is difficult enough just to get a child to wear their retainers after orthodontic treatment and to expect them to wear a series of aligners 24/7 is ridiculous. I feel that invisalign is targeting general dentist to prescribe invisalign to their... more

Any Invisalign Provider is able to provide the Teen product. However, if the treatment requires the use of all the features of Teen, then you would be best to see someone who has experience with all of the capabilities. Invisalign provides a Teen designation to those who treat about 1 Teen case/week. Any doctor with this designation is likely also going to be a Premier or Elite Provider. The most difficult part of using Invisalign Teen is when permanent tooth eruption must still occur. ... more